PORTSMOUTH — Police have announced street closures and no parking in the greater downtown area for the Portsmouth Holiday Parade on Saturday, Dec. 1.

Effective from 4 p.m. to 9 p.m. on Saturday, the chief of police will be invoking his emergency powers, prohibiting parking and vehicular travel on certain streets in the city due to the parade.

The parade route will begin at Plaza 800 on Islington Street (6 p.m.) and proceed east to Congress Street. The parade will then travel on Congress Street into Market Square and onto Pleasant Street. The parade will cross State Street at Pleasant Street and turn onto Junkins Avenue, ending at the South Mill Playground parking lot.

NO PARKING

Vehicles must not be parked on the parade route including the following streets during the times specified or they will be towed at the owner’s expense. Towing of vehicles will begin at 4 p.m.

■ Congress Street — all.

■ Market Square — all.

■ Pleasant Street — all.

Residents, business owners and employers located inside the parade route are advised that vehicles will not be permitted to cross the parade route except in an emergency. It is required that all parked vehicles be moved outside the parade route before 4 p.m. Other areas in and around the event will be restricted. Police officers, event volunteers, signs and/or barricades will be in place for these areas.

ROAD CLOSURES

The following streets are some that will be closed or restricted to local traffic only. Police officers, signs and/or barricades will be in place for these streets.

■ Islington Street — from Plaza 800 to Maplewood Ave and most adjacent side streets.

Persons wishing to travel between Maplewood Avenue and Middle Street are directed to use Route 95 or Borthwick Avenue. There will be significant traffic delays in the parade route area as it passes and motorists are strongly urged to seek alternate routes away from affected streets.

BUS PARKING

Contact your carrier for information regarding pickup.

POSTAL PATRONS are asked to pick up their mail by 4 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 1.